History of Crime in Grand Concourse Building Coming From Within

By David Cruz They poured into Community Board 7’s headquarters on April 3, frustrated and searching for answers. But they’ve only arrived at one conclusion—the crime and disrepair at 2922 Grand Concourse is deliberate, and it’s okay with management.

Business Beat – First Crunch Fitness Gym Wants to Pump You Up!

By DAVID CRUZ Assaf Gal stood on a sidewalk on 205th Street near Webster Avenue one afternoon in January, promoting his newest venture—a Crunch Fitness gym in the Bronx. He spotted a mailwoman, handing her a Crunch ad that caused her to jolt.

Bronx Religious Groups Urge Mayor de Blasio to Allow Them To Worship In Schools

by David Cruz Clergy leaders are hopeful Mayor Bill de Blasio reverses a city Department of Education mandate that forbids them to practice their religion inside empty public school. The rallying cry comes a day after a federal court panel ruled it unconstitutional for so-called mobile churches to practice inside schools.

Judges: Thou Shalt Not Worship In School

by David Cruz Church groups may have to look elsewhere if they were to celebrate Easter or Passover inside an available public school. A federal court has sided with the city Department of Education in ruling that religious practice in public schools is unconstitutional. The decision, part of a decades-long lawsuit brought by several Bronx church groups, now jeopardizes any Easter/Passover plans made by church groups. “Mayor [Bill de Blasio] with a single swipe of his pen can offer immediate relief to thousands of his fellow New Yorkers who now face the prospect of not knowing if they will have

The latest edition of the Norwood News is out with some noteworthy stories that can get the conversation going. First up, the Norwood News follows the aftermath of a three-alarm fire that knocked out several businesses in Mt. Hope. What are their options in rebuilding? Better read to find out. Next, some stinky news that is the bane of Bronxites–dog mess! It’s on the sidewalks, parks, you name it. All the reason why the 52nd Precinct has put this quality of life issue on the forefront, vowing to issue summonses. Check out what sparked the talk here. And finally, the first-ever Crunch Fitness

By JUSTIN MCCALLUM It’s a frequent topic for Community Board 7’s Environment and Sanitation Committee and universally disgusting–dog poop littering the streets year round. Whether along the greenways of Mosholu Parkway and Reservoir Oval, or other bustling thoroughfares such as Jerome Avenue, the prevalence of poop has certainly raised concerns. “People not picking up behind their dog is really a problem in our district, and I really don’t see any enforcement,” an anonymous complainant told the March 18 general meeting. But thanks to a recent addition to the 52nd Precinct’s Community Affairs office, the issue may finally come to

by DAVID CRUZ The charcoal scent still lingers along a stretch of small businesses on East Burnside Avenue just a week and a half after a three-alarm fire damaged them. Crews have since erected a scaffold, while police from the 46th Precinct have set up a barricade, fencing off the property from pedestrians and any would-be squatters. Passersby assess the rubble at some stores, staring pitifully at some of the establishments that have been gutted.

Cars Found Smashed Along Stretch of Norwood

by David Cruz Norwood residents woke up early this morning to find several cars smashed on Parkside Place, a quiet street running parallel from Webster Avenue. The vandalism, first reported by News 12 the Bronx, happened during the overnight hours. Neighbors found front bumpers torn, glass on the floor and in one case tires slashed. Debris was found strewn about the hilly street. Car vandalism is commonplace in Norwood, according to neighbors. Police are investigating.

Bronx News Roundup for March 24-29

As the Norwood News finally gets some relief from this cold weather, albeit relatively small, we got you covered on some of the hot Bronx stories making the rounds. First up is the late-breaking story on several staffers from Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo heading to court over allegations of fraud. As reported by the New York Daily News, much of the heat on Arroyo’s trio of staffers stem from allegedly writing phony names on campaign petitions during Arroyo’s re-election bid last year. The trio faces upwards to seven years in prison. Arroyo maintains she knew nothing about the scheme. More